How has menopause affected your journey?

From what I have read all indications are that once you start going thru menopause it is very difficult to lose weight. What has been your experience? What has helped to regain the weight loss momentum? I am burning more calories than I eat. I have increased my soy consumption which seems to have helped with the hotflashes. What else can you share? I don't see many posts talking about menopause and weight loss.

*********************************************************************BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF, LOVE YOURSELF AND EDUCATE YOURSELF EVERYDAY THROUGHOUT THIS JOURNEY YOU ARE ON!----Motto of HealthyBabs

DO NOT ASK GOD TO HELP YOU WALK THRU YOUR JOURNEY IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO MOVE YOUR FEET - JEREMIAH

Here is my proof that I am getting it done one pound at a time, one step at a time!

I'm 66 and 10 years past menopause. This is the first time I have ever lost weight on purpose. The other times it was spontaneous due to pregnancy or traumatic emotional shock. I'm not having any problems with it at all. As long as I eat mostly whole foods and keep my calories in the correct range, it seems to be coming off like clockwork. I even have my occasional spike days and unhealthy treats. Usually, I try to keep my protein under 15%, my fats under 30% and the rest complex carbs. Since I never tried losing before, I don't know if it's harder or not. I just know that it's working. And, for the record, during perimenopause, I didn't have any of the normal symptoms. I started having severe anxiety attacks when I hit 50, and didn't associate it with menopause. I had no idea that was my only symptom (or that it even WAS a symptom) until I went through menopause at 56 and the attacks stopped within a year.

Babs, I am on Atkins, and I am menopausal. I stopped having my menses about a year ago. I still have the hot flashes, but the only real difference I have seen is the time it is taking, and even at that I have still lost 70 pounds since the end of January, so I cannot complain!

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.~Marcel Proust~

"Each morning when I open my eyes I say to myself: I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn't arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I'm going to be happy in it. " ~Groucho Marx~

It is harder. I am actively in menopause. I enjoy a 3 week stall whenever I can't be 100% on target with diet and exercise. Now, about the soy thing. What ever seems to work for you, go for it! I should mention that studies done on the effect of soy to alleviate symptoms of menopause show that it really doesn't do anything. The best control of symptoms is through diet and exercise. I can't comment on the bio-replacement hormones, as I don't know of anyone who has gone under the expense of taking them. I do know that the soy SEEMED to work for me at first. After 12 weeks or so, they seem to not work anymore. Even changing the type or percentage with black cohash, didn't seem to make a difference. I think the change comes from the eventual diminushing of the hormones to the point where soy doesn't make a difference.

God made man before women because you always make a rough draft before the final masterpiece (stolen from Coach's journal).

I am about 8 months period free and I don't think my symptoms are all that severe, only hot flashes, mostly at night. I am definately not going to take hormones. The only soy I am eating is soy milk daily, edemame on my salads a few times a week and tofu occasionally which is all 100% more than I was eating previously. My mom said her symptoms were barely noticable and I am hoping I am following her path. I do think the loss is slower, but then again I am just not as active either. I will probably keep eating the soy because I like it and it is low in calories and fat and is a good protein source. Thanks gals for all your valuable input.

*********************************************************************BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF, LOVE YOURSELF AND EDUCATE YOURSELF EVERYDAY THROUGHOUT THIS JOURNEY YOU ARE ON!----Motto of HealthyBabs

DO NOT ASK GOD TO HELP YOU WALK THRU YOUR JOURNEY IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO MOVE YOUR FEET - JEREMIAH

Here is my proof that I am getting it done one pound at a time, one step at a time!

The Pie chart at the bottom of the screen is correct. The only thing about it is that it takes all carbohydrates into consideration (simple, complex, and fiber) as one number (total carbs) and doesn't ...